Comparison · Cabo San Lucas vs Maui · Mexico / United States
Cabo San Lucas vs Maui
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Microstar, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Cabo San Lucas for El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna. Cabo San Lucas is generally less expensive, and the two are about 4,777 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 4,777 km
- Less expensive
- Cabo San Lucas
- Best time for Cabo San Lucas
- November–April
- Best time for Maui
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Cabo San Lucas | Maui | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Mexico | United States |
| Known for | El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing and Whale watching | Haleakalā, Road to Hāna and Whale watching |
| Best time to visit | November–April | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 5 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $200–$350 | $350–$600 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 33°C (91°F) | July, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 26°C (79°F) | January, 27°C (81°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 3 |
| Beaches | Médano Beach | Kāʻanapali Beach |
| Airports | SJD | OGG, JHM |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cabo San Lucas for…
El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. Cabo San Lucas sits at the very tip of the Baja California peninsula, where granite headlands end at El Arco and the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The town wraps around a marina packed with sportfishing boats, with Médano Beach as its main swimming strand…
Choose Maui for…
Haleakalā and Road to Hāna. Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island, formed by two volcanoes joined by a flat central isthmus around Kahului. The dormant summit of Haleakalā rises to about 3,055 metres in the east, while resorts line the sunny west and south coasts at Kāʻanapali…
Top sights compared
| # | Cabo San Lucas | Maui |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | El Arco at Land's End | Haleakalā summit sunrise |
| 2 | Lover's Beach (Playa del Amor) | Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail |
| 3 | Glass-bottom boat to Land's End | Road to Hāna |
| 4 | Médano Beach | Pīpīwai Trail and Waimoku Falls |
| 5 | Marina boardwalk | Waiʻānapanapa State Park |
Food compared
| Cabo San Lucas | Maui |
|---|---|
| Baja-style fish tacos | Poke |
| Smoked marlin tacos | Plate lunch |
| Chocolate clams | Loco moco |
| Ceviche and seafood tostadas | Shave ice |
Which is cheaper?
Cabo San Lucas is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $200–$350 per person there, against $350–$600 in Maui (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cabo San Lucas on a budget.
Can you visit both?
They are about 4,777 km apart, so combining them means a flight. With 13 days or more it works; otherwise pick one.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cabo San Lucas or Maui cheaper?
Cabo San Lucas is usually less expensive: about $200–$350 a day mid-range against $350–$600 (estimates).
+Is Cabo San Lucas or Maui better for a first trip?
Pick Cabo San Lucas for El Arco at Land's End, Sportfishing, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Maui for Haleakalā and Road to Hāna.
+How far is Cabo San Lucas from Maui?
About 4,777 km in a straight line.